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| BMW 3.0 CSL |
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<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>  The road version of the racing car, which was developed for homologation purposes, became a widely known symbol of inspiring driving pleasure focused on the essentials, especially in its final stage of development. CSL – this combination of letters in the model designation stood for “Coupé, Sport, Leichtbau” (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight), a concise summary of the two-door car’s recipe for success.In addition to wide wheel arches, its coupe-shaped body also received an eye-catching aerodynamics package, which included a front spoiler, air bars on the front side panels and a roof spoiler. Completing the design modifications vs. the other coupes in BMW large series was a rear wing that optimised the grip of the rear wheels. It was not approved for road use and therefore lay in the boot when the vehicle was delivered, but nevertheless received much public attention, earning the automobile its “Batmobile” nickname. With an increased displacement of 3,153 cubic centimetres and a maximum output of 206 hp, the most powerful straight six-cylinder engine with direct injection ever used in a BMW model ensured sporty power delivery. The powerful drive system was combined with refined suspension technology. Its unladen weight was just 1,270 kilograms. The reduced weight was achieved through comprehensive lightweight construction. The doors were made of aluminium, as were the bonnet and the boot lid, which were supported on retaining rods after opening. Numerous other body components such as the roof, side panels and luggage compartment partition were made of particularly thin sheet metal, and the chrome bumpers were replaced by plastic skirting. Lightweight bucket seats and the omission of insulation material, power steering and electric windows ensured optimal weight reduction. An overall power-to-weight ratio of 6.2 kilograms per horsepower was achieved. The new BMW 3.0 CSL is the contemporary reinterpretation of all these features anchored in its model designation. Its coupe-shaped body sets traditional accents for sporty elegance and expressive dynamics. Its drive and suspension technology stems from the latest developments for racing cars and high-performance sports cars from BMW M GmbH. And the intelligent lightweight construction reaches an outstanding level, above all through the extensive use of carbon. The power-to-weight ratio of the BMW 3.0 CSL is a mere 2.9 kilograms per hp. As an independent model from BMW M GmbH and despite the limited number of units, the BMW 3.0 CSL has undergone a complete series development process. In addition to the extensive quality and function tests and the driving dynamics tuning test drives under a wide range of conditions from city traffic to country roads and motorways to the racetrack, the BMW 3.0 CSL has also undergone comprehensive aerodynamic testing. Around 200 working hours were spent on optimising the airflow and aerodynamic balance of the vehicle, including 50 hours in the wind tunnel of the BMW Group’s Aerodynamic Test Centre. In addition, two pre-production vehicles of the BMW 3.0 CSL had to undergo frontal and side crash safety tests to meet road legal requirements. With its classic coupe proportions and a traditional vehicle concept that combines a front engine and manual transmission with rear-wheel drive, the BMW 3.0 CSL follows in the footsteps of its historic ancestor. Distinctive air deflection elements, powerfully shaped wheel arches, a striking rear spoiler and numerous other details are unmistakably based on the design of the legendary coupe from the 1970s. At the same time, its appearance is characterised by the principles that have always applied to BMW M automobiles: The specific exterior features are based on the technical requirements for cooling air supply, aerodynamic balance and driving dynamics, which form the basis for delivering compelling driving performance. The BMW 3.0 CSL expresses timeless racing passion in an emotional and authentic way. Power and athleticism are signalised by the front end of the BMW 3.0 CSL, which sits low on the road. At its centre is the distinctive BMW kidney grille with a lattice-shaped insert in a diamond structure. Its upright position relates to the front design of its historic ancestor. Like the side window surrounds, the kidney frame is finished in satin aluminium – a design feature that emphasises the special status of the BMW 3.0 CSL. Together with the BMW kidney grille, two generously dimensioned recesses in the front apron, reminiscent of the air intakes on the 1970s model, ensure reliable cooling of the drive and brake systems. Sculpturally shaped air fins on the bonnet emphasise the classic lines. With their flat contours, the headlights create a characteristic focus on the road. The BMW Laser Light headlights shine in yellow, both during the welcome scenario after unlocking the doors and when the low and high beams are activated, thus making reference to successful GT racing cars. This detail is a subtle reference to the strong connection with motorsport and the BMW M4 GT3, which won both the drivers’ and team DTM championships in 2022 and whose power unit is based on the same straight-six engine as the power unit inside the BMW 3.0 CSL. The BMW M4 GT3 achieved championship success right at the start of its racetrack career, much like the historic BMW 3.0 CSL, which once won the European Touring Car Championship in its inaugural season. Viewed from the side, the long bonnet and wide wheelbase lend the BMW 3.0 CSL an appearance that is both sporty and classically elegant, with the brand-typical three-box coupe design proportions also contributing to this. Particularly wide, diagonally offset side panels and wide side walls underline the dynamic appearance of the coupe even when stationary, with an air deflector extending along the roof line. Muscular wheel arches give indication of the large track widths that contribute significantly to the vehicle’s high cornering dynamics. They offer space for the forged light-alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design, these being 20 inches on the front axle and 21 inches at the rear. With their intricate spokes, a gold-coloured paint finish in the style of the 1970s and a centre lock, they represent design and driving dynamics highlight adapted directly from racing. The integration of the model-specific wheels into the pre-assembled axles of the BMW 3.0 CSL is part of the manufacturing process at the BMW Plant Dingolfing. At 930 Nm, the torque applied during the assembly of the centre locks achieves the highest value for a BMW Group production vehicle. The forged light-alloy wheels are fitted with Michelin tyres developed exclusively for the BMW 3.0 CSL. They bear the number 50 embossed on the tyre sidewalls, providing another subtle reference to the anniversary of BMW M GmbH. The rear view of the BMW 3.0 CSL is also characterised by powerful aesthetics and reinterpreted design features of its ancestor. The most striking feature is the rear wing, which is enclosed at the side and translates the characteristic appearance of the “Batmobile” into a modern design language. Designed to generate additional downforce and optimise traction on the rear axle, the air deflector encloses the entire rear section, thus becoming a dominant visual element. For the benefit of aerodynamic balance, it is combined with a strongly pronounced carbon diffuser in the rear apron which optimises underbody airflow. The four tailpipes of the exhaust system, which are arranged in an arrow shape in the centre of the rear apron and feature a particularly lightweight titanium rear silencer, also provide a striking accent. The rear lights of the BMW 3.0 CSL use innovative lighting technology to generate an exclusive night design and a particularly vivid radiance. This is achieved by laser light threads that appear to be free-floating inside the lights and create an expressive and precise 3D effect. Right from the very beginning of the 1970s, BMW Motorsport GmbH became imprinted in the memories of fans worldwide thanks to spectacular racing successes, but also because of the team’s unmistakable appearance. Just like the competition cars, the drivers’ outfits, the vehicle transporters and all other team equipment featured uniform stripes in blue, purple and red on a white background – a novelty at the time and a globally recognised trademark to this day. The BMW 3.0 CSL picks up on this tradition with a paint finish in non-metallic Alpine White and an elaborately applied stripe decor in the BMW M GmbH colours. The lines on the body effectively reflect the dynamic surfaces, thus bringing to the fore the powerful aesthetics of the coupe even more clearly. Both the base colour and the M stripes, known in motorsport as the livery, are applied largely by hand, involving an extremely high level of time and effort. A total of 22 individual parts are painted in a process specially designed for the BMW 3.0 CSL. Particular attention is paid to a highly precise arrangement of the body surfaces and livery stripes finished in visible carbon. Most of the exterior in Alpine White comprises carbon components which are hand-painted by specialists. This high-tech material is only visible in the lettering on the roof and the rear wing. To precisely position the livery stripes in the BMW M GmbH colours, the painters use masking using laser projection as well as customised contour films. Each component with a livery paint finish has a throughput time of six working days. During this time, it completes up to eight paint processes, each with the necessary intermediate work steps such as sanding and masking the colour stripes. This results in a total of 134 paint processes for each vehicle, adding up to a total of 6,700 manual work sequences in the paint shop for the entire small series of the special model. The number sequences on the doors and roof of the BMW 3.0 CSL, designed in the style of early racing cars, build a bridge from the past to the present. Their design in the style of racing numbers is based on the historical model of the first BMW M automobile developed for touring car racing, whilst the number 50 refers to the anniversary of BMW M GmbH. The two BMW logos on the C-pillar provide another nod to the 1970s, positioned directly behind the counter-swing of the side window graphic known as the Hofmeister kink. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> |
| Article | Image gallery (58) | WBS81AZ090CM08044 | Specifications |
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